While you may not be able to afford to fly first class, or even business class, there are things you can do to make your time on the ground and in the air more enjoyable. Heck, you might even feel pampered with these seven travel perks you can definitely afford.

1. Buy a Good Carry-On

Unless you plan to stay at home most of your life, a sturdy carry-on that’s built to last will pay for itself after a few years. It’s actually possible to buy luggage that could last you a lifetime. A stylish bag that can carry your essentials for before, during and after your flight can make a bad trip better (you may want to consider a good luggage set in general if you plan to travel a lot). Compare manufacturers that offer lifetime warranties, like Briggs & Riley, for example. Their warranty covers repair of all functional aspects of your bag. Did the airline damage it? Not a problem. Your dog chewed it up? It’s covered.

2. Pay for More Legroom

Some airlines offer seating with more room for a small charge (usually $50 to $65) that will put you closer to the front of the plane, but more importantly, especially for the long-legged among us, give you more legroom. That extra charge also ensures you’ll have an earlier boarding, plenty of room for your carry-on, quicker access to the forward restroom and a quicker time getting off the plane.

3. Invest in a Travel Kit

People who fly first and business class, especially on international flights, usually get a handy kit including a toothbrush and toothpaste, eye mask, ear plugs, lotion and other niceties. You can assemble your own to help you sleep better and feel fresher upon arrival.

4. Get Free Flights & Upgrades

If you have a favorite airline, it pays to sign up for the mileage program. You can earn a free ticket or upgrade on most airlines starting at around 20,000 miles (keep in mind you’ll still have to pay taxes and some other fees), which means you can typically begin reaping rewards after a few flights.

5. Get More Miles for More Perks

If you’re serious about getting free travel and upgrades, you’ll want to earn miles faster. You should consider a travel rewards credit card. You can sign up for a card associated with your airline to maximize your earning potential. For example, if you regularly fly Delta, you may want to sign up for the Gold Delta Skymiles card from American Express, which comes with a signup bonus of 60,000 miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases within your first four months of qualifying. Plus you’ll earn a $50 statement credit after making a Delta purchase within your first four months (offer expires July 5, 2017, see the card agreement for details). After that, you’ll earn two miles on every dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta, and one mile for every dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. This card comes with a $95 annual fee, which is waived the first year.

6. Earn Miles on Every Purchase

If you’re not loyal to any particular airline, a general travel rewards card may be a better option for you. One of our favorites is the Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard. It comes with serious kickback — 2% miles back on all purchases, plus a 5% rebate when those miles are redeemed that you can use toward your next redemption. While it also comes with an $89 annual fee, that’s waived for the first year. All of this adds up to making free upgrades or free flights a real possibility.

7. Get a Luxury Travel Rewards Card

If you’re looking for luxury when it comes to travel perks, signing up for a card like the American Express Platinum Card can pay off. Yes, it comes with a steep annual fee of $550 and you’re going to need seriously good credit to qualify, but the cost is offset by a $200 annual airline credit, up to $200 in Uber credits, an $85 or $100 credit every four years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck (reimbursement amount depends on which program you apply for), access to more than 1,000 airport lounges worldwide and no foreign transaction fees (see the card agreement for full details).

Remember, before applying for any credit card, it’s a good idea to check your credit scores to see where your credit stands. You can get your two credit scores, absolutely free, right here on Credit.com.

At publishing time, the Gold Delta Skymiles card, Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard and American Express Platinum Card are offered through Credit.com product pages, and Credit.com is compensated if our users apply and ultimately sign up for these cards. However, these relationships do not result in any preferential editorial treatment. This content is not provided by the card issuer(s). Any opinions expressed are those of Credit.com alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer(s).

Note: It’s important to remember that interest rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products frequently change. As a result, rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products cited in these articles may have changed since the date of publication. Please be sure to verify current rates, fees and terms with credit card issuers, banks or other financial institutions directly.

Vacations can require a lot of upfront planning. That includes coming up with the funds to pay for your trip. But even the best-laid plans can go awry, and we can fall short of our savings goals.

If you’ve got a trip coming up in a few months and you won’t have the funds to cover it, you may want to look into a travel credit card with a strong signup bonus. Signup bonuses can help you get to your destination by contributing to many types of travel expenses.

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred

Rewards: Two points per dollar spent on dining and travel, one point per dollar spent on everything elseSignup Bonus: 50,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in the first three monthsAnnual Fee: $0 the first year, $95 afterAnnual Percentage Rate (APR): Variable 16.74% to 23.74%Why We Picked It: The signup bonus can be redeemed for extra value through Chase Ultimate Rewards, Chase’s travel booking platform.For Your Upcoming Trip: With two points per dollar spent on dining and travel, one point per dollar spent on other purchases and 50,000 bonus points, this card has strong potential in the first few months. Points can be redeemed for flights, hotels, car rentals and other travel costs, and are worth an extra 25% when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards, which makes the signup bonus good for up to $625 in travel credits.Drawbacks: If you don’t frequently dine out or travel, this card won’t deliver as strong a value.

2. Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card

Rewards: Five points per dollar spent at Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest properties, two points per dollar spent at restaurants, car rental agencies and on airfare, one point per dollar spent on everything elseSignup Bonus: 80,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in the first three monthsAnnual Fee: $85APR: Variable 16.74% to 23.74%Why We Picked It: Marriott customers can cut the cost of their hotel stays.For Your Upcoming Trip: You’ll earn points for Marriott stays no matter how you spend, with extra incentives for Marriott and travel spending. The 80,000 bonus points can help put a dent in your hotel costs. Points required for redemption vary between hotel properties.Drawbacks: If you aren’t a loyal Marriott guest, you’ll have little use for this card.

3. Hilton Honors Surpass Card

Rewards: 12 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases with a participating Hilton hotel, six points per dollar spent at restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations, three points per dollar spent on everything elseSignup Bonus: 75,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in the first three monthsAnnual Fee: $75APR: Variable 15.99% to 19.99%Why We Picked It: The signup bonus can knock down the cost of your upcoming Hilton stay, and you can earn 12 points per dollar while you’re there.For Your Upcoming Trip: You can put the 75,000 bonus points to good use on any upcoming stays at Hilton properties. Plus, with multiple ways to earn 12, six and three points on the dollar, you can rack up points quickly.Drawbacks: If your trips don’t often include Hilton properties, this card won’t get you as far.

4. Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard

Rewards: Two miles per dollar spent on all purchasesSignup Bonus: 50,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 in the first 90 daysAnnual Fee: $0 the first year, $89 afterAPR: Variable 16.74%, 20.74% or 23.74%Why We Picked It: Miles can be redeemed for any eligible travel purchase, and a strong signup bonus can save hundreds on your trip.For Your Upcoming Trip: Every purchase you make on this card earns you a flat two miles that can be redeemed toward your upcoming trip. Plus, 50,000 bonus miles is worth up to $500 in travel statement credits. And you’ll get 5% miles back every time you redeem.Drawbacks: You can earn miles or points at a greater rate with other cards.

5. Capital One VentureOne Rewards

Rewards: 1.25 miles per dollar spent on all purchasesSignup Bonus: 20,000 bonus miles when you spend $1,000 in the first three monthsAnnual Fee: NoneAPR: 0% for 12 months, then variable 12.74%, 17.74% or 22.74%Why We Picked It: The signup bonus is a bit smaller than other options, but you’ll pay no annual fee.For Your Upcoming Trip: At $1,000, the spending requirement for this card’s signup bonus is relatively low, and it’s worth $200 in travel money. You can redeem your miles through any website or app.Drawbacks: Compared to other cards, the signup bonus is small.

How to Choose a Card to Help Cover Your Trip

When choosing a credit card to help fund your upcoming trip, remember: Most signup bonuses require you to meet spending minimums within the first three months of having the card. If your trip occurs within that time frame, you may not be able to earn the signup bonus in time. If the spending minimum is outside what you’d normally spend, you may want to hunt for a card with lower requirements.

Beyond that, you should look for cards that reward the way you tend to travel. For example, a hotel-branded credit card will only benefit loyal customers of that brand. If you tend to spread your travel purchases around many airlines, hotel chains and other providers, you may want a general travel card.

You also may want to look beyond your upcoming trip. Many of these cards charge annual fees and have a range of other features. If you plan on using your card for routine spending, you’ll want one that’s worth the cost and has features that benefit your everyday life.

What You Need to Get a Card With a Travel Signup Bonus

Credit cards with travel rewards and large signup bonuses usually require excellent credit. If you fall below that threshold, you may want to consider cards with looser qualification requirements. Either way, if you don’t know where your credit stands, you should find out before you apply. You can check two of your credit scores for free through Credit.com.

Image: monkeybusinessimages

At publishing time, the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Hilton Honors Surpass, Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard, Capital One VentureOne Rewardscredit card is offered through Credit.com product pages, and Credit.com is compensated if our users apply and ultimately sign up for this card. However, this relationship does not result in any preferential editorial treatment. This content is not provided by the card issuer(s). Any opinions expressed are those of Credit.com alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer(s).

Note: It’s important to remember that interest rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products frequently change. As a result, rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products cited in these articles may have changed since the date of publication. Please be sure to verify current rates, fees and terms with credit card issuers, banks or other financial institutions directly.